How to bike in the city (tips for the bicycle curious) 

Stuff I learned the hard way: 1. Don't leave your bike unattended or don't take it with you at all (some thieves are REALLY good). 2. On a return route, take the first part carefully - I drove over an oil spill on a fast and tight downhill street turn and got into a slide with car traffic right next to me. 3. When driving along a line of parked cars, slow down the first time you go there. Reason is, you will not know about the side streets because of the cars parked, AND the driver jumping out from behind the line won't see you. (driver jumped out cause she didn't see me and I hit her at full speed) -> car dented, bike damaged. 4. Watch out for cars coming out of driveways right past building corners where there are no driveway mirrors. 5. Shoelaces can get caught up in the drivetrain and make you fall, so pay special attention how you tie your shoes. 6. Some car drivers don't know the rules of the road (I shit you not), so when you're driving fast down the street and there's a car coming up from behind you and turning right (or left in England) - be ready that they might cut you off at the intersection. 7. Always wear eye protection; eyes are much more delicate then people think - read about eye floaters. 8. If you drive fast, wear gloves so you won't leave half of the skin on the asphalt if you fall off the bicycle, and use your hands to deflect the impact. 9. Side wind gusts can be strong enough for you to lose your balance, when you're coming out from behind a hill or building on a windy day. 10. Watch out for blinded car drivers cutting you off at sunrise/sunset. Common sense stuff: 11. Never listen to music on a bicycle in/near traffic - I avoided most accidents just by listening to my surroundings and acting accordingly. 12. Regardless of your speeds, choose a good quality helmet - cars can hit you at very high speeds, and most of the cheapest helmets are a life-threatening garbage. 13. If you share sidewalk with pedestrians, expect they will suddenly change direction depending on what's near them (for example to get to a garbage bin). 14. Slow down near children and keep away from them :)) 15. If you drive to work, take spare clothing in case you get washed by heavy rain. New stuff: 16. Depending on witch side of the road the traffic goes in your country, even on a bicycle path, stick to that side. Reason? E-bikes can go 45 kmph easily and you won't hear that guy coming from behind you and trying to pass you. 17. For the same reason, check behind you before you turn, even on a bicycle path.

How to bike in the city: [1] migrate to any city in Holland, or to Copenhagen in Denmark. [2] enjoy.

Great video for overcoming terror of urban biking and learning to enjoy it. Very nice music track too that connects well with the narrative.

That was a guy at the end doing the tricks lol

The Copenhagen turn is an option, if you don't feel comfortable turning left across oncoming traffic. Here's how you do it: 1. With the green light, enter the intersection in the rightmost lane. 2. Stop in front of the rightmost lane of the intersecting street. 3. Wait for the green light and go straight through.

One of the best city biking guides. Thank you!

I absolutely love everything about this. Thanks so much, Grist!

3:14 drive chain on left side :-)

This is amazing. Thank you so much for making this.

2 things amazing about this video: - the acting of surprised faces was exquisite! - possible change to an alternate dimension at 3:14 in the vid as the drive train(chainrings/chain/cog) was on the opposite of standard side. I was half expecting the rider to also sport a goatee signifying said change in dimension.

This is a great video. Informative and entertaining! I'll be sharing this on my blog.

She did not lock her bike... So bye bye bye my bicycle....

This video has genuinely made me feel less scared about riding in traffic. I am super excited to get a bike!

It's PERFECT, thank you so much for this super cool video ❤❤❤❤

Awesome video! Congrats! Viva the urban cycling!

Was really nice. Waiting for some more video of this kind

This was awesome!

Fantastic video!

great video thanks

I use an alternative method of signaling turns, and drivers here understand it better. I extend my right arm out for a right turn, left arm out for a left turn... right arm down 45 degrees for a right lane change or to indicate that I'm leaving the road (turning into a parking lot, for instance), left arm down 45 degrees for a lane change to the left. I'm in Texas and cycling is just catching on here little by little. Not many bike lanes yet, but they're coming along slowly. It's a lot better (in Dallas) than it used to be. We have a long way to go, but progress IS happening!

This is one of the best urban commuting tips videos I've seen. I've been a passionate city cyclist, advocate, and sometimes community mechanic for the last 9+ years and really appreciate this. But the instructions for signalling a turn? That bent-arm thing is about 15 years outdated. You use whichever arm shows the direction you're turning nowadays.

Lovely!!! I shared this amazing video on my bicycling group on Facebook: Beautiful Bicycles Beautiful People. THANKS!!!

This was such a happy video!

Great video. Congrats from a fixie fan from Brazil!

Excellent work! As a Seattle cycling enthusiast I couldn't be happier about this video.

This video was GREAT!

Well made video!

Great video!

Very good video on bike safety.

thanks it really helped me alot

It was fun watching.

Great video, awesome content and vibe! Apart from the fact that the bike misses lights and reflectors, I have nothing to nag on. Just one more thing: you don´t have a mirror, so always turn your head when changing lanes. Especially other bike riders can be very stealthy. Love it, please make more.

Interesting that the red chain and chainring are on the right side of the bike in the beginning, but near the end of ride it shows them on the left side of the bike. Magic!

Thats a good idea! I don't have one for my bike but I should get one, just thought I would mention it since its something a lot of newer bikers don't think of! Love your video though!!

This videographer must be a mastermind! Give this man a raise.

what !!!!!!!!!! she jumps off the bike sooo cool she is the coolest person I've ever seen, or will ever see.

A very motivating video for the beginners, and a reminder for those who may lose his head off in the way!! Greetings for Guadalajara, in México!! you're doin' it right guys!

VERY nice video. I'm subscribing and sharing. Just wanted to note that I would first check the bike, then suit up. It's pretty annoying to be in full gear, backpack and everything just to discover that you have to pump air into it or something.

Nice dismount! Can you do a part 2 that covers locking?

Actually both are used and acceptable. I myself use my right arm to signal right and my left for left. It just makes sense and is not confusing in any way. Even someone not familiar with hand signals should be able to guess at my intentions, unlike the way shown in the video.

This video is so great! Could I possibly use all or part of it during some of the bike safety classes our non-profit teaches in the SF Bay Area? We would give Grist credit, of course!

Ok I'm a cyclist noob and this video was great, I realize it's old but it's still helpful and fun to watch. I also realized that apparently I've been doing the Copenhagen turn out of instinct and it sounds better than how it looks asi I feel I just turn this way cause of fear of cars.

bro why did i love this so gold lmaoooo

Nice video!!

Of course, Robert! Thanks for asking. Let us know what your students think of the video.

Chain cases! They are awesome.

Cool video! | Класне відео! )

This is great and fun! Let's make one for longboarding in the city too!

Nice Video!!!

This is fantastic! Have you thought to tour major cities and make similar videos? :D

Love it. May I make subtitles of your vid it to Brazilian Portuguese?

Great Video. Wish they'd mentioned proper locking practices (or locking your bike at all). As a car-free city cyclist for pushing 5 years, I've seen far more people knocked out of the bike commuting world by having their bikes stolen due to bad locking practices (or none) rather than being uncomfortable on the road.

LOL a stunt double XD 3:28

Useful video)

Would you mind elaborating? What is the point if not to be aware of the many hazards and jerks on the roads while still enjoying and getting around in the best possible way?

Americans are used to this as they learn it in driving school. I think it's still allowed to drive cars without blinkers (if they are really old) and as a driver you cannot signal a right turn with the right arm. Sure, pretty much nobody in Germany will understand this. I usually just do the right arm, what is also easy to see for a car behind me or right from me. The car won't see it if it is kinda left of me, but in this case a right turn shouldn't be a concern for the biker.

The upward hand thing is and has been for many years standard practice for motorcycles, cars and bicycles...I personally find it safer if more people adhere to a universal practice, and that's what I watch for as a driver, cyclist and pedestrian. Judging by most cyclists' behavior here in Seattle, though, adhering to universal traffic laws with which one disagrees is optional.

Nice vid. Pretty amazing trick at 3:28. Even more amazing to do it on a bike with brake cables. ;)

This was filmed in Seattle so I had to like.

nice

iif my bike is amenable 2 it I ride daily and am hoping 2 ride my 18 spd mt bk 2 SF next month

"No Parties" by Fergus and Geronimo. It's in the credits at the end of the clip. :)

good vid useful .

Nice video, but you should have included something about how to lock your bike properly. At the end it's locked to a fence with a lock you could probably cut through with a pair of scissors, and both wheels have quick release mechanism, but are left unlocked. Many people quit riding after they get a new bike and have it stolen within a week.

3:28 If I could dismount like that....

... check quick clamping lever (0:11) and turn it against the frame to reduce hooking risk :)

I believe the goal of this video is not to send people out into the streets naively thinking that they have a bubble around them and that everything will be fine. That would just increase the body count. And many drivers are a--holes - better to be forewarned than devastated by some of the most unbelievable behaviour one can imagine.

One thing I noticed. The cyclist did not make shoulder checks or scan both ways before proceeding through an intersection.

Then, could you please show us how we are supposed to do it?

Why do you use your left hand for a right hand turn?

I've been riding in Seatown since Y2K and have been spinning my wheels since approximately '77

buen video de como iniciar en bici por la ciudad, que por cierto la rola de fondo esta buena

all the time i was thinking that she is kind of innocent and fearful rider but at the end she turn out an stunt woman.. bravo

If in Seattle, remarks about streetcar tracks / other hazards / sudden hills may be useful.

I love this video! But I notice that she doesn't have a bike lock, and her friends didn't lock their bikes either. My U-lock is so big and heavy that I carry it in a backpack that makes me uncomfortable a and sweaty. Any suggestions for conveniently carrying a bike lock, preferably not in a backpack?

this whole video is about being realistic, since bike lanes are nowhere to be found the lane is shared with the cars so you need to think in advance and be careful. If you're not careful enough then you might risk to injure yourself. Ask any serious bike commuter and he'll tell you to check your bike, to claim the lane and to stay away of the door zone, these are the basics principles for a commuter

this video was adorablee

is that seattle?

Those things are regulated by each state individually.

Is this song podsafe or copyright free? if not, how do you adquire tje rights. I can see this song in otjer vids or as part of a podcast.

Is this necessary in Seattle though?

Oh yeah the cool handle bar spin and then the bail out dismount is done by a stunt double by the way (@3:27), not by the actress, you can tell because she is wearing a olive green jacket while the stunt double is wearing a brown hoodie, the stunt double's bike is a fixed gear bike with a crossbar diamond frame and flat handle bars, hers is a mixte frame vintage bike with curved cruiser handle bars. You think I wouldn't notice? lol :P

As a cyclist, pedestrian, and driver, I'd add that it's important to follow traffic laws when you're cycling. I've seen several accidents caused by cyclists who think that safety laws (waiting at red lights and stop signs, not indiscriminately weaving in and out of moving traffic) are optional, making things dangerously unpredictable for everyone. Also, please ride on the road--in spite of common sense right-of-way I've nearly been hit by careless cyclists on the sidewalk far too often.

In İstanbul: Keep far away from the taxis, buses, dolmus', commercial vans, modified cars. Their drivers think they'll give extra points with defeating bicycles and motorcycles. The city has a bit bicycle lanes and they can't be used by cyclists because they're full of pedestrians.

so what should be done ?! An european (french) daily cyclist

Here in Seattle, the law only requires a front light and rear reflector, and only when riding after dark. (You won't see me out after dark without front and rear lights, though!)

cool

That's great, Judith! Feel free to use the video. If you're posting it online please credit grist.org

cycling as a means of transportation is getting a Lot bigger here in the US, and a Lot of them are doing things wrong I just encountered a guy the other day that stopped at an intersection, on the Left side of the Right turn lane, when he wanted to go Straight. a/o people are afraid to start because they don't know the right thing to do, This gives them the first step

That helmet is beautiful.

Bikes don't get stolen in Seattle?

Some of us have grown out of this mentality! I myself ride no different than the dutch would. I ride a European city bike in normal clothes with NO safety gear (i.e. no helmet). I make traffic pass me safely by not giving them enough room in the lane to pass unsafely. After 7 years of riding like this I have yet to be hit and don't expect to.

And where is your back view mirror? It can be easily mounted on a helmet...

Cute video, but has some issues. Maybe I'm just a curmudgeon. For signaling right turns, just freakin' point to the right. The upward hand thing is confusing and designed for car drivers to do out their driver's side window. It's way clearer to just point where you want to go. Never heard it called a "Copenhagen turn"; I've always heard "box turn". Proper check at the beginning of a ride is the "ABC quick check" - air, brakes, chain, quick release, check it over.

Did she like the bike when she had the donut break? I was having a mini-panic that the bike might be stolen while she was enjoying that donut.

Adoraria se no Brasil fosse assim :/

I just bought a new bike for Uber Eats. I will take this advice on. But Is my paranoia about theft, justified, I'm tempted to take my bike up 30 flights of stairs in an apartment, out of fear of theft, even through I got the so called impenetrable D-lock.

when I see '.. but mostly, it's this', I cannot believe that it was not the classic T-bone accident.

sure ! but it's not possible everywhere : without "high quality cycle route network" it's usefull

i know someone who'd love this